John Mathers My exhibition work is basically derived from a formalistic exploration of architecture, both classic and contemporary. With the many forms I visualise, my focus is on the small details and segments of the building structure, taking what is already there and exploring the fascinations, questions and lineages of the form - not only the linework but the solid geometric mass that these lines and facets enclose. Specialising in hollow form pieces which reflect the architectural themes, my production of jewellery ranges from pieces based on abstract tribal symbolism constructed in silver and bronze, to jewellery inspired by artists such as Alexander Calder, Miro, and Kandinsky.
1958		Born Harnam, NSW Australia
TRAINING/STUDY
1979-82		Architectural Draftsman's Certificate Course, Sydney Technical College
1983-1985		B.A. Visual Arts, Jewellery and Silversmithing Riverina Murray Institute of Higher Education, Wagga Wagga now Charles Sturt University
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
1986		Craft Purchase Exhibition, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Tasmania
1987		Solo Exhibition: Blackwood Street Gallery, Melbourne
1988		Jugend Gestaltet: Creative Youth Exhibition, Munich, West Germany
1989		Paris Atellers Art Show, Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
1990		Ob'Art Velizy 2, Paris, France
1992		Solo exhibition, Yamba NSW
1993		Seelands Exhibition, Grafton NSW
1994		Gold Coast Sculpture Award, Queensland
1995		Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba, QLD Solo Exhibition, Creations Gallery, Canberra Gold Coast Sculpture Award, QLD
1996		3rd National Contemporary Jewellery Awards, Griffith, NSW
1997		SOFA International, Chicago
1999		18th National Craft Acquisition Award, Darwin Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba
2000		Munich International Craft Fair, Munich West Germany
2003		Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery Solo Exhibition
COLLECTIONS
1986		Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
1987		Victorian State Craft Collection, Melbourne VIC
AWARDS/GRANTS
1986		Graduate Metal 2 Award, Perth, Western Australia
1987		Project Development Grant - visual Arts and Crafts Board
1993		Clarence Valley Art Prize, Maclean, NSW
PUBLICATIONS
1996		Craft Arts International
1995		Who's Who of Australian Visual Artists
1992		International Crafts
1988		Craft Victoria, Craft Australia, Vogue
1987		Lemel, Vogue Living, Craft Australia
1986		The West Australian
Concept: Hollow Form Brooches This series of pieces was based on the articulated roof form of the Olympic Park Station at Homebush in Sydney. The primary structure for the roof was based on a series of leaves that sit adjacent to each other. This imagery and content provided the ideal starting point to create the hollow form brooches. The graphic strength in the roof patterning, reinforced by the use of parallel and radiating structural elements, was a key factor in choosing the forms to be used. Translating the line work of the structure to create a zig-zag effect increased the form's visual element and created the solid geometric mass which my work is primarily based on.